Map created byTom Scholten
User Instructions: click in an area of the map boundary. Then click on a service to discover the time associated with traveling to that service on foot, via bicycle, or automobile. Double click the map to show an illustration of the area that falls within a ten minute walking distance. Refresh the browser to start over.
Access to transportation is a necessary element of modern life to obtain goods, services, and education as well as to gain employment, seek medical care, and enjoy cultural and recreational opportunities. The goal of this map is to show multiple data layers throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area that paint a picture of existing transportation options in relation to key social institutions such as hospitals, schools, grocery stores as well areas that may be underserved by public/mass transit transportation.
Stimulates Economic Development:
Every $10 million in capital investment in public transportation yields $30 million in increased sales.
Every $10 million in operating investment in public transportation yields $32 Million in increased sales.
For every $10 million invested in capital projects for public transportation, more than 300 jobs are realized.
Saves Money. According to the American Automobile Association, the estimated cost of driving a single-occupant vehicle is between $4,826 (for a small car) and $9,685 (for a large car), depending upon mileage. By contrast, the annual average cost for public transportation for one adult ranges from $200 to $2,000, depending upon mileage, time of day, type of service.
Improves Air. Quality Each year, public transportation use avoids the emission of more than 126 million pounds of hydrocarbons, a primary cause of smog, and 156 million pounds of nitrogen oxides, which can cause respiratory disease.
Enhanced Quality of Life. Public transportation facilities and corridors are natural focal points for economic and social activities. These activities help create strong neighborhood centers that are more economically stable.
While transit clearly benefits those who use it, even larger benefits spread to all citizens in the form of economic development, reduced congestion, cleaner air, and enhanced quality of life. According to AAA, the average annual cost of maintaining a small sedan is $6957, or $19.33 per day. Via bicycling.com, the cost of maintaining a bicycle is $300 a year, or 82 cents per day. Purchasing a monthly CTA/Pace train and bus pass averages to approximately $3.50 a day. As such, assuming a 25mph city driving speed, access to a car cost 24 times that of a bike and reduces travel time by almost two-thirds. Buses provide longer distance access but on fixed routes and times. As for walking, almost $20 per day reduces a 3 mile trip from an hour to 7 minutes. If you can afford it.
Technology tools and websites used: • Data processing tools:ArcGIS, Qgis, Mapshaper, • Data storage formats: CSV, shapefiles, GeoJSON, JSON • Web languages: HTML, CSS, JavaScript • Hosting platform: GitHub pages to host data and serve the web-map page to visitors.